Jalen Green, Immanuel Quickley among standouts at Las Vegas Summer League

After not having a summer league last year due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA’s summer circuit is back in full force in Las Vegas, NV. The Vegas SL began on August 8th, which was preceded by the 2021 Salt Lake City Summer League and 2021 California Classic to start the month.

The Las Vegas Summer League has been must see TV as we not only have this summer’s draft class, but also the 2020 draft class. The top two overall picks in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green have shined, but there have been numerous second-year players, who look ready to take that next step.

Below we are going to look at some of the players, who have stood out thus far at the 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League.

Jalen Green, Houston Rockets

The second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has been a certified bucket through the first two games in the summer league. The new Rockets guard is averaging 24 points per game on an efficient 51.7% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from three-point range on 7 attempts per game.

Green is picking up where he left off in the G League bubble earlier this season as he began to separate himself as one of the best prospects in the 2021 NBA draft. He can score from anywhere on the court and can get to the rim. The Rockets seem to be in good hands with Green and the rest of their young rebuilding core.

Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks

Quickley is one of the second-year players who looks too good for the summer league. The former first-round pick has played with confidence on the court and looks ready to take on a larger role with the Knicks.

In three SL games, Quickley is stuffing the stat sheet with 24.0 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game. Another thing to point out about the young point guard is taking a lot of three-pointers (9.7 per game). Despite only making 24.1% of his attempts, the summer league is a perfect place to work on your shooting.

Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies

For some strange reason, no one has been really talking about the play of second-year guard Desmond Bane. Bane has been playing phenomenally for the Grizz and should be ready to take the spot of Grayson Allen, who was traded this offseason.

The former first-round pick out of TCU is currently the second-leading scorer in the entire summer league with 24 points on 48.4% shooting from the field and an incredible 69.2% shooting from three-point range on 6.5 attempts per game. Bane is proving to be another good draft pick by the Grizzlies.

Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

The rookie out of Gonzaga appears to be the real deal, which is great news for a rebuilding Orlando Magic squad. Suggs has been dynamite in the Vegas summer league, averaging 20 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.

Out of all the young guards that the Magic have on their roster, Suggs might be the most dynamic. The 6-foot-4 collegiate standout is a solid complement next to Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and RJ Hampton. Anthony and Hampton are currently playing with Suggs in the summer league.

Honorable Mention: Cade Cunningham, Payton Pritchard, Max Strus, Obi Toppin, Tyrese Maxey, Alperen Sengun, and Omer Yurtseven